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CHINESE MISFORTUNE COOKIES

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IS IT TRUE AUGUST 31, 2015

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IS IT TRUE the Evansville Police Department’s plan to sell confiscated weapons taken from criminals to an out of the area Wholesaler/Gun Dealer may have fallen through because of State law?
IS IT TRUE we are shocked to find out that  local “Blight Fighter” George Lumley has a CPA certification and was a past employee of the State Board of Accounts? …it looks like  some of the people employed by the DMD better stop trying to discredit Mr. Lumley by claiming  that he doesn’t know what he is talking about? …it looks like DMD Director Kelly Coures just might have an intellectual “Tiger by the Tail”?
IS IT TRUE in trying to deflect  the truth,  that the City of Evansville’s attempt to get a loan for the hotel project this year was not as well received by bond rating agencies as the loan for the arena in 2010,  Winnecke told a whopper? …it was reported by Channel 25 that Winnecke stated his administration was handling the books so well the arena bond rating was upgraded in 2013? …this couldn’t be further from the truth? …the arena bond was initially rated as a single A in 2010 but with the possibility the rating could change when the bonds were sold, depending on the market? …the bonds were sold and garnered a double A rating? …that double A rating was outlined in the 2012 annual report and reaffirmed by the rating agency in 2013?…on Saturday, the bond rating for the remaining loans on the Ford Center were graded A? …if Winnecke is correct, that he got the rating raised to a double A in 2013, what’s his explanation for the lower rating of a single A in 2015?
IS IT TRUE the remaining arena bonds being graded a single A, which is like getting a C in school, is troubling given the unique nature of the arena bonds? …the loans taken out to build the arena have a funding source no other bond in the City has with Food & Beverage taxes pledged? …these taxes will generate more than 4 million towards the arena loan payments beginning in 2018 after the Old National Events Plaza is paid off? …the Hotel and Medical School loans will not have this funding source pledged and will be backed up with income taxes, property taxes and casino funds? …with the hotel coming in with an A bond rating and recent Water and Sewer project loans in the same class, the City of Evansville now has the same bond rating as the states of Illinois and California?…one should contrast this with the state of Indiana’s bond rating which is a triple A – the highest achievable rate?
IS IT TRUE the City of Evansville is trending down in its bond rating? …although this was seen as somewhat typical by the expert consulted by the local newspaper, it shouldn’t make the citizenry feel any better?….When bond ratings are triple A and double A, they are viewed as largely insulated from a variety of circumstances that make lower rated bonds susceptible to default? …when a bond is rated in the medium class of A or triple B, the bond is seen by investors as susceptible to outside forces that could affect the borrower’s ability to repay the loan? …examples of such factors that could impact loan repayment over the 20 year term of the bonds include legislative actions to reduce casino revenue received by the City, the casino closing, cumulative population decline, the state legislature re-figuring or reducing income taxes collected, or how they are distributed, and the loss of commercial entities within the downtown tax zone?
IS IT TRUE the risk factors listed above don’t create a situation of the City defaulting on its payments so much as it creates potential for austerity measures within the City’s operating and capital budgets? …the City receives roughly 30 million annually from the casino and from income taxes distributed by the state government? …after commercial property taxes in the downtown area, these are the two sources pledged to pay the hotel and medical school loans? …of these sources, roughly 17 million is already pledged to the City’s operating fund or already pledged to these and the arena bond payments? …the rest is for capital investment in public safety equipment, parks, City owned buildings, and now the Mayor’s new blight elimination plan? …the last source pledged to pay these loans is our property taxes, which currently contribute to the City’s operating budget? …if the City has outside forces that impact its’ ability to make the loan payments related to the arena, hotel and medical school, the first thing to go will be our capital funds? …the capital funds are already being slowly siphoned off to pay an ever imbalanced operating budget, and their latest threat is bond payments?
IS IT TRUE according to the Administration, 87% of its roughly 79 million operating budget for 2014 was labor costs? …roughly 69 million of the 79 million spent was on City employees? …10 million of the 2014 budget was spent on consumables like office supplies, travel costs and contractual services? …if the City struggles down the road to make bond payments, there is only so much capital investment that can be ignored? …employees which deliver services to the public will be impacted?…police and firefighters already claim that there is not enough spent on equipment? …residents complain about the lack of investment in Mesker zoo, sidewalks, roads, our parks and pools? …there is a day of reckoning coming for the City of Evansville?  …if revenue continues to remain flat or grow at the rate we’ve seen over the last 3 years, which is flat or 1-2% increases? …it’s bizarre under the circumstances to not acknowledge the impact of 13-14 million in annual bond payments? …there is a strategy for economic growth in place? …and that if it misses the mark, it will have devastating consequences on the citizens of Evansville?

Sheila Huff Named Educator of the Year by Peabody

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Principal of Bosse High School Sheila Huff was named “Educator of the Year,” from among an impressive list of last year’s Southwest Indiana and Illinois Peabody Energy Leader in Education award winners during the Leaders in Education Recognition dinner on Aug. 29.

Lt. Governor Sue Elsperman lauded the awards program and the work of educators. “It truly is a pleasure to gather this evening to recognize an exceptional group of educators for the different they make in the lives of young people. You’ve inspired a spirit of curiousity and passion for learning both inside and outside the classroom. You’ve inspired strong partnerships with parents and communities. You’ve inspired students to graduate and go on to fulfilling professions. Simply put, you’ve transformed the life choices of young people.”

Huff has been recognized for many awards over the years – and most recently in January 2015 received the Peabody Award. She was recognized at that time for being a true educational leader, an academic visionary, and an extremely credible communicator.  At the banquet, EVSC Superintendent David Smith said Huff has been dedicated to her school and students for more than three decades.  “This person is well respected by students, parents and community leaders alike for a no-nonsense approach to students’ personal and academic responsibilities, the benefits of organized athletics and extracurricular activities and to life in general. This individual has achieved incredible career success as a classroom teacher, track coach, assistant principal, and principal.”

He also pointed out that under her direction, Bosse was honored with the bronze award in the 2013 and 2014 editions of the U.S. News and World Report’s “American’s Best High Schools” publication.  And, among the recent prestigious honors awarded to Huff, was being named one of the YMCA’s 100 Most Influential Women of Evansville,  the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, the 2014 Athena Award, and the 2013 Indiana Excellence in Education Award from AdvancED.

She has received a lifetime achievement award from the Indiana High School Athletic Association for having given herself and her talents for over 35 years to student athletes – serving as head girls track coach to her perennial powerhouse teams from 1976-1998. She had three individual champions; and the team held five IHSAA titles, as well as three regional championships.  She has also coached volleyball, boy’s tennis and girl’s gymnastics.

“Her students respect her, her teachers love her – and she epitomizes what is right in education today,” Smith said.

The Leaders in Education Program was created to empower and energize outstanding educators. The Leaders program seeks to amplify the value placed upon educators by recognizing the significant role that they play in our communities.

MEDICARE SEMINAR  SET FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH 

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St. Mary’s Senior Connection will hold a Welcome to Medicare seminar Tuesday, September 15, at 4:00 p.m. at 951 S. Hebron Ave., Suite C (between Bellemeade and Washington Ave.) adjacent to the Senior Connection Office.

When individuals and their families are new to the federal Medicare program, it can be confusing and frustrating at first glance. This program will help you better understand the many different parts of Medicare and what your options are when you enroll.

This is an informational program only. No specific plans or companies will be discussed. The seminar will be presented by Gina Downs, Director of St. Mary’s Senior Connection. It is free but registration is required. Call St. Mary’s Senior Connection at 812-473-7271 or toll free at 800-258-7610 for reservations and directions.

Daily Off Topic Forum August 31, 2015

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UE Alumna Maggie Somody Receives Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship

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University of Evansville alumna Maggie Somody has been named to the 2015 class of Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The announcement was recently made by Governor Mike Pence at an event at the University of Indianapolis.

Forty-nine individuals will be part of the 2015 cohort of the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship program in the state, offered at Ball State University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Purdue University, University of Indianapolis, and Valparaiso University.

The highly competitive program recruits recent graduates and career changers with strong backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and math STEM fields and prepares them to teach in Indiana’s most underserved public schools. Each Fellow receives $30,000 to complete a specially designed, cutting-edge master’s degree program based on a year-long classroom experience. In return, Fellows commit to teach for three years in the urban and rural Indiana schools that most need strong STEM teachers. Throughout the three-year commitment, Fellows receive ongoing support and mentoring.

Somody earned her Bachelor of Science degree in professional chemistry from the University of Evansville. While at UE, she served as a chemistry, calculus, and geometry tutor; did undergraduate research in organic synthesis; was a laboratory assistant in organic and general chemistry; and was an America Reads tutor for kindergarten through third grade.

One Book One Community hosts “Prison and Beyond: A panel discussion on Women’s Incarceration and Rehabilitation”

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One Book One Community will host “Prison and Beyond: A panel discussion on women’s incarceration and rehabilitation” on September 9 at 7 p.m.  This program will be held at Ivy Tech and is free and open to the public.

 

What:              The distinguished panel of speakers will discuss issues and questions surrounding the rehabilitation, education and services available to women after their release from prison.

 

Who:               The panel members include:

·         Dr.  Melissa Stacer, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, USI (Moderator)

·         Dr. Margaret Stevenson, Associate Professor of Psychology, UE

·         Ms. Jennifer Schaefer, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Ivy Tech

·         Mr. Ben Joergens, Financial Empowerment Officer, Old National Bank

·         Ms. Jodi Uebelhack, Director, Vanderburgh County Treatment Court

·         Women who have participated in the Department of Corrections’ recovery program

 

When:             Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at 7 p.m.

Reception will follow for all panel members and attendees

 

Where:            Ivy Tech Community College, Vectren Auditorium

3501 N 1st Ave, Evansville, Ind.

 

Why:               The Prison and Beyond program was inspired by One Book One Community’s 2015 book selection, Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison by Pipe

 

ST. MARY’S WILL HOLD  SAFE KIDS SAFETY DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS

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(Evansville, IN) – St. Mary’s Health will hold a “Safe Kids Safety Day for Grandparents” Friday, September 11th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Eastland Mall. This event is free to the public and no registration is required.

This is the third time St. Mary’s has had a safety event specifically for grandparents. More and more grandparents are caring for their grandchildren, either on a full-time or part-time basis. This event will address some of the common safety issues children face.

One of the topics that will be covered is medication safety. According to our partner, Safe Kids USA, medications are the leading cause of child poisoning today, and an estimated 38 percent involve medication belonging to a grandparent.

There will also be educational materials, demonstrations, and other safety information on the following topics: Car seats and booster seats, Heat stroke awareness, Bike Helmet safety, ATV safety, Driveway safety (Spot the Tot), Sports safety (Concussions), Home fire awareness, Gun Safety, Furniture and TV tip-over awareness, Playground safety, Senior Fall prevention, Medication safety, Distracted driving, Poison Control, Sleep and suffocation (Back to Sleep), Playground safety, Pool and water safety, Stairway safety.

Refugees In Germany

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EPD Media Report

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